Charlice Byrd

Foster Kids Face Financial Hurdles

BY CHARLICE BYRD

There is little doubt that children in foster care have more burdens to bear than we truly can appreciate or understand. These children face challenges that make life outside of the care system challenging. Simple, yet life affirming, chapters that mark the transition into adulthood, like getting a driver’s license, obtaining car insurance or opening a bank account, are among the barriers that these kids face.

Children in traditional home settings have a parent sign a form, and they can obtain a driver’s license, be added to their parent’s car insurance or open a checking account. But, for foster children, whose legal parent is the state of Georgia, it is not as easy.

If a foster child’s birth parent still is working on a case plan to reunify, or has not lost their parental rights, they may consent in order for their children in foster care to achieve these ends. However, finding these parents often is challenging if children have been in care long term. If they are available and willing to sign the necessary documents to open an account, the next hurdle is safeguarding the money in the account for the child.

Parental signatures often allow parents to access cash that children have worked to save up on their own. Unfortunately, financial exploitation often morphs into maltreatment for children who just want the benefit of a checking account to safeguard their hard-earned money. As a precaution, children in foster care have an annual credit report check to ensure that parents, and others who have access to their information, are not using their credentials for credit.

For children who are freed for adoption, the foster parent or case manager often is approached and asked to become the signature on file, in order for a foster child to obtain a driver’s license or get automobile insurance. Regrettably, many foster parents or case managers are hesitant to do this, because of the inherent legal risk incurred.

Similarly, finding an adult to sign off on car insurance means assumption of legal liability, in addition to the large premium that new drivers face. Clearly, the system needs to do a better job for these children, and I’m working on a draft of a bill to help with these issues.

The legal status of becoming a ward of the state should afford some flexibility with these complex issues, and compensate for the intrinsic hurdles these children face. Not all family dynamics are the same, and building a system that addresses some of these deficiencies is a good place to start.

Children in the foster care system have unusual burdens that many do not understand. Learn how to get involved, and help children in the foster care system have a better chance of survival outside of the system, through North Georgia Angel House at www.angelhousega.com.

Rep. Charlice Byrd represents District 20 in the Georgia House of Representatives. charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov